“I’m sure everyone here wants to find Betsy,” Mrs. Patterson said. “Did you help Miss Linx take care of thepuppy?”
“I did! And I drew a picture of me feeding Ginger.” Jessie’s double ponytails bounced as she skipped to the playpen where little Ginger was practicing her Army mancrawl.
In a flurry of chatter, waving, and patting, Jessie bade everyone goodbye, and Linx was left alone with Grady andCedar.
The jitters returned to her belly, and she wondered why Grady had comeby.
Grady parked himself in front of her, invading her personal space. He gently tucked a strand of Linx’s hair behind her ear. “Tonight, I want it to be me and you. We need to talk and really get to know eachother.”
“Where’s all this coming from?” Linx’s voice wobbled as the undeniable ember of hope smoldered behind her guarded heart. “Why are you being nice to me all of asudden?”
“Why shouldn’t I be nice toyou?”
“You wantsomething.”
“I’m giving Cedar back to you. I want to spend time with you—like normal people, instead of fighting all thetime.”
“I do appreciate you bringing Cedar back, but whatchanged?”
Grady’s lips pressed together tight, looking utterly miserable. “She thought you’d abandoned her. It broke my heart to see how down she was, slinking around. She doesn’t understand what’s going on between us. It’s not fair for her to feelrejected.”
“Grady…” her voice sounded breathless. “I don’t know what tosay.”
“Why don’t we relax and chill, have a good timetonight?”
She held up a hand and backed away. “This isn’t one of your twisted dog deliveries, is it? Because I’m not sleeping with you tonight, even though you brought Cedarback.”
“I would never turn you down if that’s what you want, but no, this isn’t a sleepover. It’s a peace offering.” His fingers brushed over her cheek. “I brought steak. If it’s okay with you, let’s have a datenight.”
“Date night?” The concept had never crossed Linx’smind.
She didn’t date, and now that she thought about it, he’d never taken her out on a date,ever.
They’d had after-sex snacks and before-sex drinks, and weekends spent in bed, but she’d never spent time with Grady when sex was off the table or off thebed.
“Okay. No funny business.” Linx grabbed at the remnants of her self-respect. “I told you earlier I’m not sleeping withyou.”
“If you sleep with me, it’ll be because I deserve you. Right now, I’m in the doghouse.” He grazed her lips with a kiss. “Prepare to bewowed.”
“You’re still so arrogant, Doghouse Grady,” she chuckled. “Thanks for bringing Cedarback.”
He gave her lips another almost chaste peck, and she kissed him back, tangling her arms around him. For the first time since she’d known Grady, she felt playful andcarefree.
For tonight only, she’d pretend her other secret didn’t hang over their heads. She’d enjoy the evening as if she were on a first date with an attractive prospect. She’d let herself imagine he’d forgive her and maybe even cherishher.
Pulling back from the kiss, she whispered, “Let me go upstairs and get ready for our date. I’ll want flowers, candlelight, and the wholeexperience.”
